core sector communique

Two Day Ministerial Meeting on Climate Change begins today

Focused Discussion on Three Main Issues- Structure, Governance and Finance of Technology Mechanism- JAIRAM RAMESH

Shri Jairam Ramesh Minister of State for Environment and Forests (I/C) said that technology and finance are two pillars in climate change issue. In his opening remark at the ‘Ministerial Dialogue on Climate Change: Technology Mechanism’ here today’ Shri Ramesh defined that technology does not get transferred but it gets developed, shared and gets bought as a commodity or at times get stolen. He said when we talk of adaptation in agriculture it will be ‘technology shared’. Stating the purpose of this conference he said this is much focused. “We are working towards an output tomorrow which will be an input in Cancun”, he added. He said, “We will be engaged in concrete discussion as to what outcome should be worked in relation to technology matters. We have learnt from the past and will not waste too much time to discuss on issues that are very controversial on which we do not expect any agreement, either at Cancun or beyond that. We will have opportunities in future to discuss on these issues.”

Discussion will be mainly on issues namely how the technology mechanism will be structured and governed, and how the technology material will be funded to launch the technology mechanism. Giving successful examples of technology in the field of agriculture, Shri Ramesh said, “Adaptations in agriculture sector involves issues relating to water, health which are largely in public domain. We should draw some lessons from successive working models of technology cooperation in public domain. The architecture for agriculture is a good example to draw lessons because in adaptation – we are heavily involved in technology in agriculture and water management.”

Giving details of successful models of technology cooperation already in the international arena, the Minister informed,“ The most successful examples are CGIAR- network on international Agricultural Research, located in Mexico city, which is responsible for Green Revolution in late ‘60s, Rice Research Institute in Manila, wheat and Maze Research Institute in Mexico, Tropical Research Institute, Virginia, Potato Research Institute, Peru, Semi Arid Research Institute in Hyderabad in India and others. Large number of such institutions is a good working model for the technology mechanism. If we are serious about technology mechanism and enthusiast about promoting at Cancun, we should be focused on the majority of the developing countries who happen to be adapter, not mitigate. These models give us solutions for water management also. We conceive technology mechanism as a network of innovation centers in different areas, in different parts of the world. ”

Shri Ramesh said, “We will talk about collaboration and networking of existing institutions which are already working in areas of climate change. This is the quickest and the most effective way of showing adaptation mechanism.”

United Nations Environment Programme’s Report on ‘Patents and Clean Energy: bridging the gap between evidence and policy’ was circulated. The report is on the issue of intellectual property right and climate change. Consensus on these issues will take very long as diverse opinions prevail among members; hence this is not being discussed in this conference.

Mr Juan Elvira Quesado, Minister of Environment and Natural Resources, Mexico, gave an over view of pre-CoP which was recently held in Mexico. He said the degree of concern of all ministers is visible here. He said purpose of this meeting is to find some way to advance the issue of technology. He gave details of last meeting said that 47 countries from the world participated in. He expressed confidence that this meeting will arrive at an agreement.

Vice Chairman(Minister),National Development Reform Commission, China and Under-Secretary General, UN Department of Social and Economic Affairs, Mr Sha Zukang said the leadership is working in transparent manner – how can we reach to some solutions. He said, “We will arrive at a practical path.”

This is the third consultation on technology in the last 3 years. The first consultation was held in Beijing in 2008, the second was in New Delhi in 2009 and this is third consultation in 2010 again in New Delhi. More than 50 countries are participating in this meeting.